LEO satellites are connecting National Guard troops with access to their loved ones and everyday activities

Low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites have the potential to connect everyone, everywhere. Perhaps nowhere is the power of LEO satellites to bridge the digital divide more evident than in one of most remote regions of the world: Antarctica.  

Last month, it was reported that LEO satellites were deployed in Antarctica to provide members of the New York Air National Guard working there the ability to “carry on life as a normal person,” as Staff Sgt. Rebekah Johnson, a crew chief with National Guard’s 109^th Airlift Wing, said. In this instance, LEO satellite provider Starlink is delivering a caliber of connectivity previously lacking to the Antarctic.

As the American airmen support operations in Antarctica during the Southern Hemisphere’s summer research season, they can regularly connect with their loved ones, make video calls, access social media, music apps and streaming services, update their personal gaming systems, pay bills and complete academic coursework remotely.

Col. Steven Slosek, commander of the National Guard’s 109^th Airlift Wing, described this internet service provided via Starlink terminals as a “game changer.”  

About the impact of LEO satellites in Antarctica, an article from the Stars and Stripes notes:

“Before the low-Earth-orbit satellite service came into being, personnel in Antarctica had limited contact with the outside world. At McMurdo Station—the largest U.S. base on the frozen continent—news commonly came from editions of Stars and Stripes printed on computer paper and displayed in the dining facility. Antarctic internet service has made great strides recently, according to Col. Steven Slosek, commander of the Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing.”

This use case highlights the unique ability of LEO satellites to reach unserved areas. Improved Wi-Fi service from LEO satellites allows military communities serving in isolated regions like Antarctica the ability to continue living life as normally as possible. The article added that “an entire shift of 30 maintainers, along with around 20 civilian support personnel, were able to use the Starlink service at one time.”

As Staff Sgt Johnson also reflected on the recent deployment of LEO satellites for improved broadband connectivity:

“Starlink was an important element to morale and vital to family communications. […] [I] did not have to struggle to communicate back home to family (and) friends and conduct other business as was the case in previous seasons.”

Read the full story from Stars and Stripes HERE.  

Learn more about the Connect Everyone Coalition HERE.